Talking Santa Clause Device With Red Light For Inside The Chimney

ABSTRACT

An electronic device to be hidden in the fireplace to create the illusion that Santa Claus is on the roof and his reindeer Rudolph is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose. The present invention is an electronic device that is magnetically attached to the fireplace damper handle or damper so that it is out of visual sight. More particularly, the device is magnetically attached to the damper handle as close to the damper as possible. The device will play audio in the voice of Santa Claus giving the illusion that the voice is coming from the roof down the chimney.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/849,006 filed on Jan. 18, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to items for Christmas entertainment, and more particularly to audio/visual entertainment devices for creating an illusion that suggests that Santa Claus is on the roof and his reindeer Rudolph is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose.

2. Description of Related Art

It is common practice for parents and adults to uphold the belief that children have in Santa Claus. Because the traditional method Santa Claus uses to enter the home is by going down the chimney, parents and adults will often climb on the roof of the house and mimic the voice of Santa Claus to the children below. The sound of Santa Claus on the roof is an effective method to make the children go to sleep.

Climbing on the roof at night in the early part of winter can be very dangerous and doesn't allow the person on the roof to experience and share in the excitement of the children below.

In view of the above, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an electronic entertainment device that can produce sounds and illumination to mimic Santa Claus coming from the chimney and the Rudolph's red nose glow from the chimney so that parents do not need to endanger themselves climbing up the roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an electronic device that is magnetically attached to the fireplace damper handle or damper so that it is out of visual sight. More particularly, the device is magnetically attached to the damper handle as close to the damper as possible.

The device will play audio in the voice of Santa Claus giving the illusion that the voice is coming from the roof down the chimney. During the audio, the device will emit a bright red glow illuminating the inside of the fireplace giving the illusion that Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer is looking down the chimney. The device also has function to allow a user to record or download different types of audio files from internet.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an audio/visual electronic device comprising an audio module for playing back stored audio files from a memory, a speaker to outputting the sound, a red light for producing a bright illumination, a passive infrared sensor based detector (PIR sensor detector) for safety reminder, necessary electronics required to perform the intended functions, an enclosure to contain and hold the above components, and power supply to provide electricity to the components.

The advantages of the invention include, without limitation, the ability to experience and share the excitement of the children hearing Santa Claus and seeing Rudolph's red nose glow from the chimney without the risks associated with climbing on the roof at night in the early part of winter. Further, the invention will encourage children to go to sleep after they realize that Santa Claus is on the roof. Further, the invention upholds the belief children have in Santa Claus and allows the parents and adults to share in their belief.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the damper handle of the chimney.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the damper handle of the chimney.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the device showing that the device includes an audio module, a PIR sensor detector, a red light and necessary electronics within the device that are required to perform the intended function.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the device showing that the device includes an audio module, a PIR sensor detector, a red light, a microcontroller, and necessary electronics within the device that are required to perform the intended function.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the device can be controlled by a variety of methods including remote control, app in a smart phone or tablet, software in a computer or laptop, motion sensor, or voice recognition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention relates to the legend of Santa Claus. More particularly, the invention relates to the tradition of upholding the belief children have in Santa Claus.

Fundamentally, the invention is an electronic device that plays audio in the voice of Santa Claus. The device is hidden in the fireplace by magnetic attachment to the chimney damper handle. The intent of the invention is to deceive the person or persons into thinking that Santa Claus is on the rooftop preparing to come down the chimney. The audio deception is furthered by the red illumination of the inside of the fireplace giving the illusion that Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose.

In one embodiment, the device is activated by the use of the on/off switch. Once the device is hidden in the fireplace by magnetic attachment to the damper handle and turned on, the user will have a period of time to bring the person or persons they want to deceive near the chimney before the audio begins to play. This period of time can vary. In this example, the invention will use a two-minute length of time.

After two-minutes, the audio will play the sounds of scratching sounds, footsteps, sleigh bells, and the voice of Santa Claus. During the audio, a bright red light will illuminate from the device as the voice of Santa Claus asks his reindeer with a glowing red nose, Rudolph, to look down the chimney to see if everyone has gone to bed. The bright red light will illuminate the inside of the chimney giving the illusion that Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose.

In another embodiment, the device is activated by the use of remote control. In another embodiment, the device is activated by voice recognition. Yet, in another embodiment, the device can be controlled by phone, mobile phone, tablets, computer, internet, or motion activation. The device also allows children to converse with Santa.

The device has a PIR sensor detector 13 to detect any motion, including fire, in the fireplace after the audio has finished playing. The PIR sensor detector 13 acts a safety reminder in case the person forgets to remove the device from the damper handle and starts a fire. If someone places their hand in the fireplace to start a fire, the passive infrared sensor will detect the motion and a loud alarm will sound. If someone turns on the gas fireplace without putting their hand into the fireplace, the PIR sensor detector will detect the fire and a loud alarm will sound.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there is shown the device 10 having an enclosure 17 to contain electronics necessary to perform the intended function. The enclosure 17 of the device 10 may be made of plastic or any other rigid and strong material such as wood, metal, and the like. The enclosure may further have two openings or windows on the bottom through which the red light illuminates towards the base of the fireplace 24 and PIR sensor detects the motion or fire if occurred in the base of the fireplace, and a compartment on the back for the power source.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there is shown the device 10 comprising a speaker 11 on the front, a red light 12 and a passive infrared sensor based detector (PIR sensor detector) 13 on the bottom, a switch to turn the device on and off 14 on the side, a magnet 15 and a compartment for the batteries or power source 16 on the back of the device. The device has an enclosure 17 to contain electronics necessary to perform the intended function. The enclosure 17 of the device 10 may be made of plastic or any other rigid and strong material such as wood, metal, and the like. Although it is not shown in the figure, the device 10 has an audio module contained in the enclosure to play the sounds of scratching sounds, footsteps, sleigh bells, and the voice of Santa Claus.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the device 10 has a red light 12 in the bottom of the device. The position of the red light 12 is to point down to the bottom of the fireplace when attached to the damper handle with the magnet 15 so that a bright red light will illuminate the chimney and the inside of the fireplace giving the illusion that Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose.

The PIR sensor detector 13 in the bottom of the device works as a safety reminder. The PIR sensor detector includes a passive infrared sensor typically mounted on a printed circuit board containing the necessary electronics required to interpret the signals from the sensor itself. The complete assembly of the detector 13 is contained within the enclosure 17 above the opening/window on the bottom of the enclosure 17 through which the infrared energy of the area monitored can enter and be detected by the PIR sensor.

The position of the PIR sensor detector 13 is to point down to the bottom of the fireplace thus covering the area to be monitored when the device 10 attached to the damper handle with the magnet 15.

In one embodiment, the electronics in the PIR sensor detector 13 typically control a small relay. This relay completes the circuit across a pair of electrical contacts connected to a detection input zone of the motion alarm control panel. The system is usually designed such that if no motion is being detected, the relay contact is closed—a ‘normally closed’ (NC) relay. If motion is detected, the relay opens, triggering the alarm. In this case, if someone places their hand in the fireplace to start a fire, the PIR sensor detector will detect the motion and a loud alarm will sound. If someone turns on the gas fireplace without putting their hand into the fireplace, the passive infrared sensor will detect the fire and a loud alarm will sound.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, there is shown the device 10 attached to the damper handle 22 of the damper 23 hidden inside the fireplace. The device 10 is attached to the damper handle 22 as close to the damper 23 as possible.

In more detail, referring to the invention of FIG. 4, the device 10 is positioned to allow the red light 12 and the PIR sensor detector 13 to point down to the base of the fireplace 24.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic view of the device 10 having an audio module 18, a PIR sensor detector 13, and a red light 12 inside the enclosure 17, as well as batteries or power source 16 to provide power for the above electronics and an on/off switch on the side. The device also comprises necessary electronic components and wirings associated with the aforementioned audio module, PIR sensor detector, red light and power source.

The audio module generally designated as 18 is a tiny audio module that plays back stored audio files from a micro memory card. The audio module 18 may comprise a memory for storing pre-recorded audio files, a microprocessor 20 or central processing unit (CPU) or microcontroller for controlling operation of the audio module 18. The device comprises a speaker 11 for outputting sounds. The audio module 18 is connected to the on/off switch 14 so that a user can play the sounds.

In another embodiment, the device 10 has more features and is able to record sounds and save as audio files that the parents make for the children and playback such audio files. The device 10 may further comprise record buttons and a microphone. The record buttons are connected to microprocessor 20 to actuate the recording process and the microphone receives the sound signal. The device 10 then converts the analog sound signal to a digital form by a process of digitization using an analog to digital converter (ADC), and stores the digitized signal in the memory.

The device may further comprises a USB connector 41 (FIG. 1) and an interface which enables the user to download Santa Claus, reindeer and Christmas related audio files from the internet via an electronic device with online capabilities. So the user can download multiple audio files from different sources, adding and deleting audio files on the device.

In one embodiment, the device may further comprise a countdown timer 19 which allows a user to have a period of time to bring the person or persons they want to deceive near the chimney before the audio and the red light begins to play after the device 10 is manually turned on using the on/off switch.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is disclosed another embodiment of the device 10 comprising a microprocessor 20 for controlling operation of the audio module 18 and red light 13.

The device 10 can also be activated by the use of remote control 31 (FIG. 8). The remote control 30 has a transmitter to send radio waves to the receiver inside the device to activate the audio module and red light. The device 10 has a receiver which includes an antenna and circuit board inside the device to receive signals from the transmitter and activates the audio module and red light as commanded by the transmitter.

As shown in FIG. 8, the device 10 may also be controlled by an app installed in a mobile phone 32 or tablet 33, or software installed in a computer or laptop 34, or a motion sensor 35. The device can also be controlled by voice recognition.

The remote control capability of the device can enable the children to converse with Santa. Multiple audio files can be stored on the device. Parents can play an audio file to ask the children a question and pause the audio file to allow the children to respond. Then un-pause the audio file to play the rest of the audio file to continue the rest of the conversation. Another embodiment may utilize technology similar to Siri on apple products that can be asked questions by the children and respond accordingly by recognizing the questions asked by the children and searching into a database of responses to select the most proper respond.

The method of or arrangement of wiring or connecting the aforementioned electronic components and mounting them will be well known to those with ordinary skill in the electronic and mechanical arts.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device to create the illusion that Santa Claus is on the roof and his reindeer Rudolph is looking down the chimney with his glowing red nose, the electronic device comprising: an audio module playing sounds of scratching, footsteps, sleigh bells, and voice of Santa Claus; a speaker in front of the device for outputting sounds played by the audio module; a red light in a bottom of the device to produce red illumination; a magnet on a back of the device to attach the device to the fire place; a power source for providing electricity to the device; and an enclosure to contain the audio module and necessary electronic components and wires associated with the audio module, speaker, red light, on an off switch, and the power source, the enclosure having a compartment in the back to hold the power source; wherein when the device is attached to the fireplace, the red light is to point down to a base of the fireplace.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the device is attached to the damper handle of the fireplace.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: a passive infrared sensor based detector in the bottom of the device to point down to the base of the fireplace to detect a motion or fire in the base of the fireplace and trigger an alarm to warn the user when a motion or fire is detected.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, further comprising a on and off switch on a side of the device for manual operation to turn on and off the device.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, further comprising a timer allowing a period of waiting time between after the device is turned on and before the audio and red light begins to play.
 6. The electronic device of claim 3, further comprising a microprocessor within the enclosure to control the audio module and the red light.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the audio module and red light is controlled by a remote control.
 8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the audio and red light is controlled by applications installed in smart phones or tablets.
 9. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the audio and red light is controlled by one of voice recognition, phone, computer, internet, and motion activation.
 10. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is rectangular shaped and made of rigid and strong material including one of plastic, wood, and metal.
 11. The electronic device of claim 3, further comprising USB connector to allow a user to download audio files from different sources and saves in the device.
 12. The electronic device of claim 3, further comprising sound recording capabilities which records sounds and saves as audio files in the device. 